Folding ladder



No Model.) 6 v P. W. LOWE & G. I. SULLIVAN.

FOLDING LADDER.

Patented Apr. 2, 1889.

N. PETERS, Pmwmfiu m fim, Washington, D, c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK WV. LOWE AND CORNELIUS F. SULLIVAN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,778, dated April 2, 1889.

Application filed J 11118 13, 1888. Serial No. 276,941. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, FRANK W. LOWE and CORNELIUS F. SULLIVAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Ladders, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanyinging drawings, is a specification.

The object of our invention is to produce a folding ladder particularly applicable as a fire-escape; and the invention consists in constructing the ladder of two side angle bars and a central fiat bar to which the rounds are secured, and in levers for opening and closing the ladder, all as hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of the ladder extended and ready for use. Fig. 2 shows the ladder folded or closed up. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same.

AA represent angle-iron side bars, and B a central flat metal bar.

0 O are the rounds, pivoted at one end to the said bars A A and at the other end to the central bar, B. The upper ends of the side bars, A, are provided with ears-a, through which a rod, D, passes. This rod may be supported from the wall of a building by arms E, secured thereto; or it might be connected to a trolley mounted upon a track that runs along the front of the house, so that the ladder could be moved opposite any window desired.

F F are levers fulcrumed to the bars A at f, and pivoted at their inner ends to the central bar, B. Each of these levers is provided with an opening, g, through which, when the ladder is closed, can be passed ears G, secured to the side of the building, as shown in Fig. 3, the ears G being provided with holes, through which a padlock or other fastening can be passed to secure the ladder.

H is a spacer-bar for holding the two side bars, A A, the proper distance apart and prevent the ladder from closing when in use should the outer portion of the levers F be depressed. This bar is secured to the bar B by means of a rivet orbolt, 19, passing through a slot, 72, formed in the bar H, so that when it is desired to close the ladder the bar can be pushed on one side so as to allow the end it to come within the flange of the side bar, A. The upper end of the central bar, B, is bent over, as shown, (see Fig. 3,) so that when the ladder is open the bar rests upon the rod D, thereby forming a central bearing for the ladder.

If desired, the ladder may be supported by the central bar, B, in which case the two side bars, A, would have to be lowered to close the ladder.

In practice it is intended that the ladder should be secured to the building, as described, and shown in Figs, 2 and 3, when, in case of fire,the padlock is removed and the ladder is opened by pulling on the ends of the levers F. The bar H is then adjusted, and the ladder appears as shown in Fig. 1. When it is desired to again close the ladder, the bar H is pushed so as to bring the end h within the flange of the side bar, A. The ends of the levers F are then depressed, which forces up the central bar, B, and causes the ladder to fold up and assume the position shown in Fig. 2,when it can be again locked to the wall, as in Fig. 3. It will be seen that by this construction when the ladder is folded up it occupies very little space, and as the back flanges of the side bars meet and the side flanges come into contact 'with the central bar, B, there is very little if any chance of the ladder ever being stuck by frost; and, further, the ladder is simple and cheap in construction, occupies very small space when closed and is not unsightly in appearance, can be operated by any one, and is always ready for use when required.

What we claim as our invention is 1. A folding ladder consisting of two side angle-irons and a central flat bar with rounds on each side of same, said rounds being pivoted at their inner ends to the central flat bar and at their outer ends to the side angle-irons, substantially as shown and described.

2. The side angle-irons, A, central flat bar,

13, and rounds 0,111 combination with opcraittwo subscribing; Witnesses, 011 this 12th day of ing-lexmrs F,'substautia1ly as set forth. June, A. I). 1838.

9 r1 V 1 k I .1 w y u. ihc s de augic l1O11S2A, Gl11 1&1 fiai ba h RAN I r, LOVIL b, and rounds 111 comblnatlon with opera i- (ORNFI IUQ F QUI LIVAN 5 ing-lcvcrs I and spacer-bar IT, substantially J J CHAS. STEERE, E. PLANTA.

as shown and described. \Vitnosses: 

